Indonesia-Malaysia Youth Diplomacy Strengthened, Discussing ASEAN Leadership and Innovation

The Central Board of the Indonesian Youth Renewal Force (DPP AMPI), under the leadership of Chairman Jerry Sambuaga, received an informal visit from the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) at the AMPI Media Center in Jakarta on Saturday. The meeting was led by DPP AMPI Secretary-General Arief Rosyid Hasan, who welcomed Muhammad Syahmi Shamsuddin, the Assistant Secretary-General of MBM. This gathering served as an initial step to strengthen youth diplomacy between Indonesia and Malaysia, while also finalising preparations for the Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta Nusantara Youth Nexus (KLJ Nexus), scheduled for 7-9 August 2026, under the theme ‘One Region, One Generation, One Future’. As the umbrella youth organisation in Malaysia, MBM holds a strategic position equivalent to the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI). This institutional parity provides a strong foundation for AMPI and MBM to build closer cooperation in fostering youth leadership within the ASEAN region. During the discussion, Arief Rosyid Hasan stressed that ASEAN geopolitical issues must be a primary concern for the younger generation. He stated that Indonesian and Malaysian youth must take an active role in maintaining regional stability and strengthening ASEAN’s position amidst global dynamics. ‘Youth collaboration is not just about programme exchanges, but also about how the younger generation can present strategic ideas for ASEAN’s future,’ Arief said. In response, Muhammad Syahmi Shamsuddin expressed appreciation for AMPI’s initiative and noted that Indonesia and Malaysia face similar challenges, ranging from digital transformation and employment to leadership regeneration. Consequently, this collaboration is expected to produce policy recommendations and strengthen youth networks at the regional level. As a follow-up, a formal MBM delegation will visit Indonesia in August 2026 for the KLJ Nexus series. The delegation is scheduled to hold an audience with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, and attend a youth discussion forum at the DPP AMPI office. The highlight of the first day will be the launch of the ‘10 Youth Initiatives Towards Golden Generation Indonesia and Malaysia’, a joint roadmap for collaboration in leadership, innovation, economy, education, and regional cooperation.